Scholarships are available in the Senior School, once young pupils have had the chance to develop their interests. They are awarded to recognise excellence in academic study, art, drama, music and sport. The prestige of these awards is considerable and they give Scholars the opportunity to develop their passion, enthusiasm and commitment throughout their school life.
Academic Scholarships
The Abbey’s Academic Scholarships reward those students who demonstrate excellence, flair, and aspiration. All candidates for entry into Years 7 and 12 are considered for Academic Scholarships and there is no separate application form.
Year 7
Students completing the Upper III (Year 7) entrance assessment in the Autumn Term will be informed in their offer letter if they have been awarded an Academic Scholarship. This decision is based on their performance across all their assessments. Candidates from The Abbey Junior School sit a similar assessment to ensure a level playing field for internal and external candidates.
Academic Scholarships are generally worth 10% of school fees. Candidates who perform exceptionally in entrance assessments may be offered awards of 20%. Awards generally continue throughout each scholar’s time at The Abbey.
Year 12
Students applying for Year 12 entry in the Autumn Term will sit a General Academic Paper assessing their ability to think beyond the curriculum. Internal Abbey candidates for Sixth Form sit a similar assessment
Across both Year 7 and Year 12 the intention remains the same: to give students who love learning the opportunity to enjoy playing with ideas. The only form of preparation required is to encourage curiosity and liveliness of mind, which are the essence of an Abbey education.
Internal candidates
We know that all young people develop at different rates. We offer all Abbey students the chance to be considered for an Academic Scholarship at the end of Year 9, including those who entered in Year 7 but did not qualify for a scholarship at that point, and those who join in Years 8 and 9. This additional opportunity exemplifies our ethos of valuing every individual and giving everyone a chance to shine.
Scholars’ Programme
We run a programme of extensions and challenge for all students. Academic Scholars are expected to take part and to play a leading role but opportunity is available to all. More information is available here.
Specialist Scholarships
For those who excel in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, we offer Specialist Scholarships. The vibrancy of our community comes from the outstanding contribution our students make in these areas. We provide exceptional opportunities for talented students to develop their skills and grow their enthusiasm alongside others who share their passion.
Year 7 Application
- Assessments take place in the Autumn Term of Year 6 for internal and external candidates. Candidates may apply for multiple Specialist Scholarships: if they meet the criteria in more than one discipline, they receive an award in the one in which they perform most strongly.
- Year 7 applicants, internal and external, will be informed by Friday 25 October whether they have been shortlisted for interviews and auditions, which will take place on 3 November 2025.
- Awards remain in place for three years, until the end of Year 9. Students may then apply for a Fifth Form Specialist Scholarship.
Fifth Form Specialist Scholarships
- All students are invited to enter for Specialist Scholarships in the Summer Term of Year 9, whether or not they won an award in Year 7. Existing scholars apply on the same terms as everyone else. Some existing scholars take the opportunity to apply for a new discipline. Others look to continue their main passion.
- Awards then remain in place for a further two years, until the end of Year 11.
Sixth Form Specialist Scholarships
- Assessments take place in the Autumn Term of Year 11 for both internal and external candidates. Awards remain in place for the entirety of Sixth Form.
- Sixth Form applicants will be informed by Monday 27 October whether they have been shortlisted for interviews and auditions, which will take place on Tuesday 11 November 2025.
Scholarship Programmes
The Art Scholarship Programme
- Access to an enrichment programme of workshops and masterclasses led by artists/Artist in Residence
- Visits to galleries, museums or places of interest
- A kit of quality specialist materials
- Open studio sessions
- Access to School Art clubs
- Art mentoring
- Exhibitions of work in the School’s gallery
- Access to a wide range of media, techniques and processes in the Art Department’s purpose-built studios
- A £600 annual discount on fees
What do we expect from our Art Scholars?
- Regular attendance at Art clubs/open studio sessions
- Attendance at Scholars’ workshops and masterclasses
- Entry into art-related competitions
- Role model within lessons
- Willingness to assist the Art Department at Open Events as appropriate
- Commitment, enthusiasm and engagement
Selection and assessment
- Applicants will be shortlisted based upon their Digital portfolio submission (see details below)
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview
- Shortlisted applicants will be expected to be able to discuss an artwork by another artist, preferably one seen firsthand, during the interview
Portfolio Advice
A completed Digital portfolio should include:
- Up to 15 slides evidencing a combination of school and independent work completed by the applicant. This should be clearly labelled and annotated.
- Evidence of drawing from observation
- Any 3D work should be photographed
The Drama Scholarship programme
- A year-long Drama enrichment programme, overseen by our Theatre Artist in Residence and our Head of Drama
- A Drama Scholars’ trip every year
- A workshop with an external theatre company or practitioner
- A Drama Scholars’ production (Lower School, Upper School or a Whole School production)
- Mentoring and support from the Drama Department
- A £600 annual discount on fees
What do we expect from our Drama Scholars?
- Regular attendance at Scholars’ club and production rehearsals
- The ability to make confident, informed acting choices, driven by an understanding of their character
- The commitment to work as directors/co-directors, designers or technical crew
- The ability to discuss drama thoughtfully and perceptively
- The ability to work well with others, in an open and supportive manner
- The ability to work imaginatively and independently
- An open mind, enthusiasm and a sense of humour
- A willingness to try new things
- An interest in live theatre, as both audience and performer
- Willingness to assist the Drama Department at events, including Open Events, and act as role models within the school community
- Scholars are encouraged to participate in performance opportunities, as appropriate, including the Year 7 Pantomime, the Lower School Play, the Upper School Play, and the School Musical
Selection and assessment
- Acting experience, at school and/or with other organisations, as well as any Speech and Drama qualifications are welcome but not essential
- It is not necessary to take, or intend to take, GCSE Drama or A Level Drama to apply
For entry into Year 7
Applicants should prepare and learn a two-minute monologue to be taken from the list provided by the department. Applicants will also have a short interview and participate in a group workshop.
For entry into the Sixth Form
Applicants should prepare and learn a two-minute monologue from a play of their choice. The monologue must come from a published play and should not be a poem, an extract from a book, a standalone monologue from the internet, or one that the applicants have written themselves. Applicants will also have a short interview and participate in a group workshop. Applicants should read the whole play that their monologue is taken from, as they will be asked about the play and the character during their interview. Applicants should also be prepared to have their monologue redirected.
The Music Scholarship Programme
The Abbey is a very busy school in terms of music-making with a large variety of ensembles and activities that we hope will suit a wide range of musical interests and ability levels. Our Music Scholars are among our most enthusiastic and committed musicians who are happy to make music a principal focus of their school life. We rely on our Music Scholars to be role models for other musicians in the School and thus they are key members of the School’s musical ensembles.
- Free tuition at school on one instrument
- Participation in the annual programme of Music Scholars’ events with the opportunity to prepare performances in collaboration with our Principal Accompanist
- Workshops and masterclasses
- Concert trips to hear major orchestras
- Regular dialogue between Music staff and instrumental teachers concerning progress, to include discussion of future opportunities for Music Scholars
What do we expect from our Music Scholars?
- A high level of musical proficiency and enthusiasm
- A commitment to working with other musicians in chamber ensembles
- Willingness to be role models for other musicians
- Membership and leadership of appropriate ensembles
- Full attendance at relevant music rehearsals and at concerts
- Willingness to assist the Music Department at Open Events as appropriate
Selection and assessment
- Applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum standard of at least Grade 4, but musicality, potential and enthusiasm are considered to be equally important
- Performance of a solo of their choice on their principal instrument
- Performance of a solo of their choice on any other instruments they play, where time in the audition allows
- Applicants will be required to undertake some supporting tests (e.g. sight-reading)
- Discussion of musical activities at interview with the Music staff
Major Music Award (MMA)
This is an additional award available to Sixth Form applicants only. The MMA is a very prestigious award given to our most committed musicians. Applicants would be performing at least at Grade 8 equivalent level and expecting to take music as an A-level option. Our MMA holders give extensively to the musical enrichment of The Abbey and this is reflected in an enhanced financial reward. Rigorous auditions are held. We award only one (or occasionally two) of these scholarships annually.
The Sport Scholarship programme
- Access to mentoring
- Opportunity to receive specialist coaching
- Professional advice on fitness and nutrition
- Attendance at our annual Sports Awards
- A £600 annual discount on fees
What do we expect from our Sport Scholars?
- Performance at a high level in a range of sports and sporting disciplines
- Competing for the School in all sports in which they are selected
- Attendance at all Sport Scholars’ meetings
- Role models on and off the pitch
- Supporting the work of the PE Department
- Willingness to assist the PE Department at Open Events as appropriate
Selection and assessment
- Applicants to provide references from current sports teachers or club coaches regarding the level at which they are competing
- Video evidence can also be provided alongside a reference
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an assessment day which includes an interview and assessments in a variety of physical activities
